Grasping Assist Device

ABSTRACT

A grasping assist device for facilitating grasping of an article includes a sleeve, which has an opening positioned in a respective opposed side of the sleeve. A hand of a user can be inserted into a first end of the sleeve such that a thumb of the hand protrudes through the opening and fingers of the hand protrude through a second end of the sleeve. A first fastener is engaged to the sleeve and overlays a palmar side of the hand of the user. A second fastener is selectively engageable to a respective article, such as a cup, a pouch, or the like. The second fastener is complementary to the first fastener so that the first fastener is positioned to selectively engage the second fastener to removably engage the respective article to the palmar side of the hand of the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not Applicable THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT Not Applicable INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to assist devices and more particularly pertains to a new assist device for facilitating grasping of an article. The present invention discloses an assist device comprising a sleeve into which a hand can be inserted and to which is engaged a first fastener. A second fastener is configured to be engaged to any number of different articles, positioning the user to engage the first fastener to the second fastener to engage the article to a palmar side of their hand.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to assist devices. Prior art assist device comprising devices in the form of sleeves, gloves, mittens, and the like are intended solely for use in bathing. What is lacking in the prior art is an assist device comprising a sleeve into which a hand can be inserted and to which is engaged a first fastener. A second fastener is configured to be engaged to any number of different articles, positioning the user to engage the first fastener to the second fastener to engage the article to a palmar side of their hand.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a sleeve, which has an opening positioned in a respective opposed side of the sleeve. A first end of the sleeve is configured for insertion of a hand of a user such that a thumb of the hand protrudes through the opening and fingers of the hand protrude through a second end of the sleeve. A first fastener is engaged to the sleeve and overlays a palmar side of the hand of the user. A second fastener is selectively engageable to a respective article, such as a cup, a pouch, or the like. The second fastener is complementary to the first fastener so that the first fastener is positioned to selectively engage the second fastener to removably engage the respective article to the palmar side of the hand of the user.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a grasping assist device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 7 thereof, a new assist device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7 , the grasping assist device 10 generally comprises a sleeve 12, which has an opening 14 positioned in a respective opposed side 16 of the sleeve 12. A first end 18 of the sleeve 12 is configured for insertion of a hand of a user such that a thumb of the hand protrudes through the opening 14 and fingers of the hand protrude through a second end 20 of the sleeve 12. The sleeve 12 is resiliently stretchable so that the sleeve 12 is form fitting. The sleeve 12 may comprise stretch fabric. The sleeve 12 also may be configured as a glove, a fingerless glove, a half finger glove, a mitten, or the like (not shown).

A first fastener 22 is engaged to the sleeve 12 and overlays a palmar side of the hand of the user. The first fastener 22 may be substantially rectangularly shaped, as shown in FIG. 2 , or alternatively shaped, such as circularly shaped, ovally shaped, and the like. A second fastener 24 is selectively engageable to a respective article 26, such as a cup 28, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 , a pouch 30, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 , or the like. The second fastener 24 is complementary to the first fastener 22 so that the first fastener 22 is positioned to selectively engage the second fastener 24 to removably engage the respective article 26 to the palmar side of the hand of the user. The first fastener 22 and the second fastener 24 may comprise a first element 32 and a second element 34 of a hook and loop fastener 36, respectively, or other fastening means, such as, but not limited to, suction cups, pressure sensitive adhesives, and the like. The present invention is anticipated to be useful for a user who is otherwise unable to grasp an article 26.

A slit 38 is positioned in the sleeve 12 and extends between the first end 18 and the second end 20. The slit 38 is positioned on a dorsal side of the hand when the thumb is inserted through the opening 14. The slit 38 is configured to facilitate positioning of the sleeve 12 on the hand of the user. The sleeve 12 can be positioned on a surface and the thumb inserted through the opening 14. The sleeve 12 then can be wrapped around the hand to bring together a first side 40 and a second side 42 of the slit 38.

A closure 44 is engaged to the sleeve 12 and is positioned to selectively close the slit 38 so that the sleeve 12 is positioned around and engaged to the hand of the user. The closure 44 may comprise a first piece 46 and a second piece 48 of a hook and loop fastening strip 50, as shown in FIG. 3 , or other closing means, such as, but not limited to, zippers, buttons, snaps, and the like. The first piece 46 and the second piece 48 extend along the first side 40 and the second side 42 of the slit 38, respectively.

In one example, the article 26 comprises the cup 28 to which the second fastener 24 is engaged. The second fastener 24 comprises a set of three second elements 34, with each second element 34 being configured as a strip 52 extending from proximate to a top 54 to proximate to a bottom 56 of the cup 28. The second elements 34 are positioned to selectively engage the first element 32 of the hook and loop fastener 36, which is engaged to the sleeve 12.

In another example, the article 26 comprises the pouch 30, which has a first edge 58 that is open. The pouch 30 is configured for insertion of a bar of soap. The pouch 30 is porous and thus is configured for entry of water and exit of suds. A flap 60 is engaged to and extends from the first edge 58 of the pouch 30. A first connector 62 is engaged to a first face 64 of the pouch 30 proximate to the first edge 58. A second connector 66 is engaged to the flap 60. The second connector 66 is complementary to the first connector 62 and thus is positioned to selectively engage the first connector 62 to retain the bar of soap in the pouch 30. The second fastener 24 is engaged to a second face 68 of the pouch 30 and is positioned to engage the first fastener 22 to selectively engage the first fastener 22, which is engaged to the sleeve 12. The first connector 62 and the second connector 66 may comprise a first member 70 and a second member 72 of a hook and loop connection 74, respectively, as shown in FIG. 5 , or other connecting means, such as but not limited to, zippers, buttons, snaps, and the like.

The examples above should not be interpreted as limiting, as the present invention anticipates the second fastener 24 being engaged to a wide range of articles 26 in addition to the cup 28 and the pouch 30, such as, but not limited to, toothbrushes, razors, combs, hairbrushes, phones, and the like.

In use, the second fastener 24 is engaged to the article 26. For example, with the second fastener 24 comprising a second element 34 of a hook and loop fastener 36, the second element 34 can be adhesively engaged to the article 26. The sleeve 12 then is positioned on the hand of the user and secured in place using the first piece 46 and the second piece 48 of the hook and loop fastening strip 50 to close the slit 38. The user is positioned to engage the first element 32 of the hook and loop fastener 36 on the sleeve 12 to the second element 34 of the hook and loop fastener 36 on the article 26 to engage the article 26 to palmar side of their hand.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

I claim:
 1. A grasping assist device comprising: a sleeve; an opening positioned in a respective opposed side of the sleeve, wherein a first end of the sleeve is configured for insertion of a hand of a user, such that a thumb of the hand protrudes through the opening and fingers of the hand protrude through a second end of the sleeve; a first fastener engaged to the sleeve such that the first fastener overlays a palmar side of the hand of the user; and a second fastener selectively engageable to a respective article, the second fastener being complementary to the first fastener, such that the first fastener is positioned for selectively engaging the second fastener for removably engaging the respective article to the palmar side of the hand of the user.
 2. The grasping assist device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is resiliently stretchable, such that the sleeve is form fitting.
 3. The grasping assist device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is configured as a glove, a fingerless glove, a half finger glove, or a mitten.
 4. The grasping assist device of claim 1, wherein the first fastener is substantially rectangularly shaped.
 5. The grasping assist device of claim 1, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener comprise a first element and a second element of a hook and loop fastener, respectively.
 6. The grasping assist device of claim 1, further including: a slit positioned in the sleeve and extending between the first end and the second end, such that the slit is positioned on a dorsal side of the hand when the thumb is inserted through the opening, wherein the slit is configured for facilitating positioning of the sleeve on the hand of the user; and a closure engaged to the sleeve and being positioned for selectively closing the slit, such that the sleeve is positioned around and engaged to the hand of the user.
 7. The grasping assist device of claim 6, wherein the closure comprises a first piece and a second piece of a hook and loop fastening strip, the first piece and the second piece extending along a first side and a second side of the slit, respectively.
 8. A grasping assist system comprising: a sleeve; an opening positioned in a respective opposed side of the sleeve, wherein a first end of the sleeve is configured for insertion of a hand of a user, such that a thumb of the hand protrudes through the opening and fingers of the hand protrude through a second end of the sleeve; a first fastener engaged to the sleeve such that the first fastener overlays a palmar side of the hand of the user; an article; and a second fastener engaged to the article, the second fastener being complementary to the first fastener, such that the first fastener is positioned for selectively engaging the second fastener for removably engaging the respective article to the palmar side of the hand of the user.
 9. The grasping assist system of claim 8, wherein the article comprises a cup.
 10. The grasping assist system of claim 9, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener comprise a first element and a second element of a hook and loop fastener, respectively.
 11. The grasping assist system of claim 10, wherein the second element comprises a set of three second elements, each second element being configured as a strip extending from proximate to a top to proximate to a bottom of the cup, such that the second elements are positioned for selectively engaging the first element of the hook and loop fastener engaged to the sleeve.
 12. The grasping assist system of claim 8, further including: the article comprising a pouch, the pouch having a first edge, the first edge being open, wherein the pouch is configured for insertion of a bar of soap, the pouch being porous, wherein the pouch is configured for entry of water and exit of suds; a flap engaged to and extending from the first edge of the pouch; a first connector engaged to a first face of the pouch proximate to the first edge; a second connector engaged to the flap, the second connector being complementary to the first connector, such that the second connector is positioned for selectively engaging the first connector for retaining the bar of soap in the pouch; and the second fastener being engaged to a second face of the pouch, such that the second fastener is positioned to selectively engage the first fastener, which is engaged to the sleeve.
 13. The grasping assist system of claim 12, wherein the first connector and the second connector comprise a first member and a second member of a hook and loop connection, respectively.
 14. The grasping assist system of claim 8, wherein the sleeve is resiliently stretchable, such that the sleeve is form fitting.
 15. The grasping assist system of claim 8, wherein the sleeve is configured as a glove, a fingerless glove, a half finger glove, or a mitten.
 16. The grasping assist system of claim 8, wherein the first fastener is substantially rectangularly shaped.
 17. The grasping assist system of claim 8, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener comprise a first element and a second element of a hook and loop fastener, respectively.
 18. The grasping assist system of claim 8, further including: a slit positioned in the sleeve and extending between the first end and the second end, such that the slit is positioned on a dorsal side of the hand when the thumb is inserted through the opening, wherein the slit is configured for facilitating positioning of the sleeve on the hand of the user; and a closure engaged to the sleeve and being positioned for selectively closing the slit, such that the sleeve is positioned around and engaged to the hand of the user.
 19. The grasping assist system of claim 18, wherein the closure comprises a first piece and a second piece of a hook and loop fastening strip, the first piece and the second piece extending along a first side and a second side of the slit, respectively.
 20. A grasping assist device comprising: a sleeve, the sleeve being resiliently stretchable, such that the sleeve is form fitting, the sleeve being configured as a glove, a fingerless glove, a half finger glove, or a mitten; an opening positioned in a respective opposed side of the sleeve, wherein a first end of the sleeve is configured for insertion of a hand of a user, such that a thumb of the hand protrudes through the opening and fingers of the hand protrude through a second end of the sleeve; a first fastener engaged to the sleeve such that the first fastener overlays a palmar side of the hand of the user, the first fastener being substantially rectangularly shaped; a second fastener selectively engageable to a respective article, the second fastener being complementary to the first fastener, such that the first fastener is positioned for selectively engaging the second fastener for removably engaging the respective article to the palmar side of the hand of the user, the first fastener and the second fastener comprising a first element and a second element of a hook and loop fastener, respectively; a slit positioned in the sleeve and extending between the first end and the second end, such that the slit is positioned on a dorsal side of the hand when the thumb is inserted through the opening, wherein the slit is configured for facilitating positioning of the sleeve on the hand of the user; and a closure engaged to the sleeve and being positioned for selectively closing the slit, such that the sleeve is positioned around and engaged to the hand of the user, the closure comprising a first piece and a second piece of a hook and loop fastening strip, the first piece and the second piece extending along a first side and a second side of the slit, respectively. 